You can freeze fresh ginger to always have on hand for soups, stir-fries, and other dishes. Fresh ginger has a more potent flavor than the powder. Erin Huffstetler is a writer with experience writing about easy ways ginger ale punch recipe nz save money at home.

To freeze fresh gingerroot, you’ll need only a few items that you probably already have in your kitchen, including a knife, freezer-safe bag or container, a marker, and the fresh ginger, of course. The simplest way to freeze ginger is to seal it tight in an airtight freezer-safe bag or container. Start with the freshest gingerroot that you can find. You want to choose pieces that are plump, firm, unwrinkled, and fragrant, as they will have the best flavor.

You don’t have to peel or chop the ginger first, but if the piece is large, or you know you will need pieces that are a specific size for cooking, it is best to cut the ginger up into smaller sections before freezing it. Depending on how you plan to use the ginger will determine whether you need to thaw it or not. If you are grating it, you can simply remove a piece from the freezer and peel and grate as much as you need. Since frozen ginger is actually easier to peel and grate than fresh, there’s no need to thaw it first.

Return the rest of the ginger to the freezer, making sure to wrap it up tightly. If you have previously cut the ginger into pieces, defrost the piece you need before slicing. If your usual grocery store doesn’t have the best ginger, try shopping at a specialty market where there’s more demand for it. Asian and Indian markets are a good bet. It may come as a surprise, but you can grow your own ginger. For a never-ending supply of ginger, plant a gingerroot in a small pot and keep it on the window sill.